Air Malta's primary focus had to remain that that of servicing tourism between Malta and its core markets, the Federated Association of Travel & Tourism Agents said.

In a statement, Fatta referred to the Tourism Minister’s denial of the southbound rerouting of the airline and said strategic alliances with other airlines were essential to ensure Air Malta's viability.

The prime objective for Air Malta's survival, Fatta said, should remain its ability to service the local tourism industry both in and out of Malta.

Air Malta needed to maintain and strengthen its connections with European cities that Malta's main tourist markets, it added.

Fatta said it backed mooted plans for the government to write off the airline’s €66 million debts and to absorb excess workers into the public sector. But it argued that these plans made no sense if the sole aim was to turn Air Malta into a feeder airline. 

As a feeder airline, Air Malta could only be expected to operate at break-even level at best and would not deliver any return to Malta and its taxpayer, Fatta warned.

Feeder airlines bring travellers in from secondary airports to main airport hubs served by large international carriers.